Washboard.



E. A. HODGE.

WASHBOARD. l APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19, 1909.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

ERASTUS A. HODGE, 0F PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.

WASHBOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

Application led January 19, 1909. Serial No. 473,178.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERAsTUs A. HoDGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portsmouth, in the county of Scioto and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful lVashboard, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of the invention are, generally, the provision in a merchantable fo-rm, of a device of the above mentioned class which shall be inexpensive to manufacture, facile in operation, and devoid of complicated parts; specically, the provision of a washboard constructed entirely of metal and provided with a rubbing surface of novel and improved form; other and further objects being made manifest hereinafter as the description of the invention progresses.

The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the accompanying drawing and particularly pointed out in that portion of this instrument wherein patentable novelty is claimed for certain specific and particular features of the device, it being understood that, wit-hin the scope of what hereinafter thus is claimed, divers changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing my invention is shown in perspective, similar numerals of reference being employed to denote corresponding parts and parts of the structure being broken away.

In carrying out my invention I provide, primarily, a frame denoted generally by the numeral 1. The frame 1 is fashioned from a single piece of metal having its terminals bent at right angles to its top 2, the edges 3 of these terminals being inbent to form tubular legs 4 terminally closed by caps 16. The edges 3 of the legs are provided with oppositely disposed apertures 5 in which are terminally mountedrungs G. These rungs (3 are bent into tubular form, their edges 11 being spaced apart to form slots in the adjacent faces of the rungs. From the terminals of the rungs 6 project integral tongues 7 adapted to engage apertures 8 in the legs 4 and to be downturned upon the exterior of said legs to hold the device together.

The rubbing board preferably comprises two oppositely facing sections 10 spaced apart,

the edges of one section being overbent to engage the edges of the other section, as denoted by the numeral 20. Vhen thus assembled the washboard sections 10 are terminally'retained between the'edges 11 of the rungs G and laterally retained between the inbent edges 3 of the legs 4. If desired, a tie rod 1S) may be mounted transversely of the device in the lower rung 6 and the rubbing board sections 10 permitted to abut against this tie rod.

The rubbing board may be of any form; preferably, however, as shown, it is provided with longitudinally disposed ridges 12, defining smooth channels therebetween. A series of these longitudinally disposed ridges adjacent to each other are transversely ribbed, as shown at 13, the remainder of the rubbing board presenting a smooth surface 21 throughout its length, saving as such surface is broken by the longitudinally disposed ridges 12.

A partition piece 18 is mounted between the top 2 of the frame 1 and the upper rung 6 and is retained laterally between the inbent edges 3 of the legs 4. The edges 9 of the top 2 are caused to extend outward beyond the legs 4 to form a cleat which, engaging the periphery of the tub in which the washboard is placed, will prevent the said washboard from sliding downward in said tub into an inoperative position. If desired, this projecting portion of the top may be inbent, as shown, in order to prevent the hands of the operator from being injured and to guard against catching and tearing the garments.

Each of the sections 10 of the rubbing board is provided with apertures 14 preferably located in the channels defined by the ribs 12, these apertures 14 furnishing means whereby the water and dirt coming` from the garments may find a proper exit. The water thus passing between the sections 10 of the rubbing board will fall downward into the tub or find its way into the lower rung G, said rung being provided in its lower side with drainage apertures 15 so that the water from the rubbing board may find its way back into the tub. If desired, the caps 16 may be provided with drainage apertures 17 in order that the water may find its way out of that portion of the legs 4 which lies between the lower rung 6 and the base of the device.

My invention may obviously be fashioned from any material or combination of matcrials; I prefer, however, that it be made entirely of metal and I have found that if the frame be fashioned from galvanized iron and the rubbing board sections l0 from VZine or brass, a durable and inexpensive structure will result. TvVhen thus constructed, the wash board herein described contains no wood to swell or warp and the device ymay be cheaply manufactured on a small scale by any tinsmith, or in larger quantity by any factory equipped with .common sheet metal working machines.

I-Iaving thus-described Amy invention,'what Iclaim as new and desireto protect by 'Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the class-described comprising tubular rungs slotted upon ftheir adjacent faces, the lower rung being provided with a ldrainage opening `disposed in its lower face intermediate its ends; a rubbing board mounted inthe slots in the rungs'and comprising oppositely facing sections-overbent at their edges toengage each other and provided with oppositely disposed, longitudinal ridges defining smooth channels therebetween upon the outer facesv of the board, the board being perforated in its channeled portions; a portion of the ridges adjacent each other being transversely :ribbed and a portion of the ridges adjacent each other being smooth; and a frame to inclose-the rungs and the board.

2. In a device of the class described a rubbing `rboard ycomprising oppositely facing sections overbent at their edges to engage each other and provided with'oppositely dislposed, longitudinal -ridges'defining smooth channelstherebetween upon the outer faces of '-t-he board, the board being perforated in `my own, I havefheretoafhxed my signature in the'presencefof two witnesses.

ERASTUS A. HODGE.

lIVitnesses `I/VILLIAM B. RICHARDSON,

C. S. MILLER. 

